 Some Apparel from China Hit with New Import Detention Order |
Source |
American Shipper |
Post Date |
08/14/2020 |
|
U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued Aug. 11 a new withhold release order against garments produced by the Hero Vast Group, including Shanghai Hero Vast International Trading Co. Ltd., Henan Hero Vast Garment Co. Ltd., Yuexi Hero Vast Garment Co. Ltd., Ying Han International Co. Ltd., and Hero Vast Canada Inc.
This order requires the detention of such goods at all U.S. ports of entry and was based on information that reasonably indicated the use of prison labor in the production of these garments. Importers of detained shipments are provided an opportunity to export their shipments or submit proof to CBP that the goods were not produced with forced labor.
19 USC 1307 prohibits the importation of goods mined, produced, or manufactured, wholly or in part, in any foreign country by forced labor, including convict labor, forced child labor, and indentured labor. Such goods are subject to exclusion and/or seizure and may lead to criminal investigation of the importer. The Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 closed a loophole in this law that had allowed imports of certain forced labor-produced goods if they were not produced domestically in such quantities as to meet consumptive demands.
When information reasonably but not conclusively indicates that goods within the purview of 19 USC 1307 are being imported, CBP may issue a WRO. CBP has said that it acts on information concerning specific manufacturers, exporters, and goods and does not generally target entire product lines or industries in problematic countries or regions. CBP also does not generally publicize specific detentions, re-exportations, exclusions, or seizures that may have resulted from its WROs or findings.
CBP encourages stakeholders to closely examine their supply chains to ensure their imported goods are not mined, produced, or manufactured, wholly or in part, with prohibited forms of labor; i.e., slave, convict, forced child, or indentured labor.
|
|
|
|
